The 3D printed parts immersion dyeing process is a post-processing process that immerses the 3D printed parts in dye to color their surface. This process is usually used to add color or texture to 3D printed parts to improve their appearance quality and surface color.
The basic steps of exhaust dyeing process include:
- ① Prepare the dyes:
Select appropriate dyes according to needs ,and dissolve them in appropriate solvents to prepare dyeing liquid.
- ② Prepare the 3D part:
Clean the 3D printed part thoroughly to remove any oil and impurities on the surface to ensure that the dye can adhere evenly to the surface of the part.
- ③ Dip-dye 3D parts:
Soak the prepared 3D parts in the dye solution, making sure the parts are completely immersed in the dye. The length of the dyeing time depends on factors such as the type and concentration of the dye and the material of the parts, and generally takes from a few minutes to a few hours.
- ④ Cleaning parts:
Remove the dyed parts from the dyeing solution and rinse them thoroughly with clean water to remove any dye residue on the surface.
- ⑤ Dry the parts:
Let the cleaned parts air dry or blow dry with a hair dryer to ensure that the dye on the surface of the parts is dry and solidified.
It is worth noting that the steps of the immersion dyeing process used for different 3D printing materials will also be different, and the required dyes will also be different. Therefore, before the immersion dyeing process, it is necessary to first understand the material and dye characteristics of the part in order to select the appropriate immersion dyeing process and dye.
In addition, the immersion dyeing process may have a certain impact on the size and precision of the parts. During the immersion dyeing process, the parts may absorb dye molecules and other auxiliaries in the dye solution due to material properties and other issues, thereby causing the size of the parts to become larger. If the immersion dyeing process parameters are not properly controlled, such as uneven flow rate of the dye solution, inconsistent immersion time of the parts in the dye solution, etc., uneven part size and deviation in precision may also occur.
Therefore, before the dip-dyeing process, it is necessary to consider the need to measure and test the parts first. It is best to leave a certain margin when designing the parts to ensure that the size and precision of the 3D parts after dip-dyeing meet the requirements.